Liverpool's 26/27 Predicted XI: How Andoni Iraola Could Line Up After the Summer Window

After weeks of rumours, speculation, and big money deals, the summer market has finally come to an end, and everyone has now locked in their squads to go and attack the first half of the season.

But who is likely to feature in Andoni Iraola's strongest starting XI, and who has work to do?

The Brazilian sweeper-keeper has been Liverpool's number one ever since he signed for the club back in 2018. And despite being linked with a move to Juventus in the early stages of the summer window, he remained at the club and will provide much-needed experience and quality for Andoni Iraola this season.

Following the departure of long-serving full-back Andy Robertson at the end of last season, Hungary international Milos Kerkez is now the undisputed number one option at left-back going into this season. And having worked with Iraola at Bournemouth two years ago, he will be hoping to have a much better second season in Red.

A talismanic figure in this squad, Virgil van Dijk will be one of the first names on the teamsheet almost every game. However, aged 35, the club may need to start resting and rotating the Dutch defender in order to keep him in top form for big matches this campaign.

This is the first position that some may argue for an alternative to who should partner Van Dijk in the heart of defence for LFC this season. This was a role previously filled by Ibrahima Konate, but after his move to Real Madrid on a free transfer, the team now has two new faces that are likely to be fighting for this spot in the side: Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo. 

So far this season, Andoni Iraola has preferred playing Jacquet in the opening two games, but with the experience and undoubted ability that Araujo has, don't be surprised if the Uruguayan fights his way into the starting XI, but for now it's Jeremy Jacquet's spot to lose. 

Currently injured for the Merseyside outfit, Conor Bradley would likely be first-choice right back if he were available to play. His deputy, Jeremie Frimpong, has come in for a significant amount of criticism since he arrived at the club last summer, but especially in the openig two games, he has been arguebly Liverpool's worst performing player.

So expect Conor Bradley to be top choice in this position when he returns from injury.

One of the easy picks in this team is the inclusion of Dominik Szoboszlai. Fresh off signing a new long-term deal at Liverpool, Szoboszlai is a player many see as a future captain of the club, and his selection in this team is a no-brainer. 

With energy in abundance, high levels of technical quality, and a good eye for a set-piece goal, Hungary's captain was a standout player in an underperforming Arne Slot side last season, and he will be hoping that he can help this campaign be a much better one for the team overall.

Another position that is very much open to debate in this Liverpool side is the second midfielder in the double pivot. Many fans saw this as a key area that wasn't strengthened in the transfer window, despite clear interest in Monaco defensive midfielder Lamine Camara. 

So, given the options available to Andoni Iraola, Ryan Gravenberch is likely to start most games, due to offering a little more physicality and endurance as games go on, in comparison to Alexis Mac Allister, who often looks tired after 60-70 minutes.

The German playmaker is one of two players likely to hold the key that will determine whether this season is a success or failure for Iraola. Signed for £116.5 million last summer, he was seen as a massive difference-maker for the club. 

He struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League in his debut season, but Iraola has made it clear how highly he rates the 23-year-old, and if Liverpool are to do well this season, getting the best out of the German international will go a long way to achieving that.

A big-money signing from PSG in the final days of the window, Bradley Barcola is a player who will get Anfield off its seat. With a skill set that many others couldn't dream of, electric pace and work rate to go with it, the French forward could be a sensational addition to Andoni Iraola's attacking options this season.

Alongside Florian Wirtz, getting the most out of the joint British transfer record striker, Alexander Isak, should and will be a top priority for the club's coaching staff this campaign. Signing for LFC as one of the best strikers in world football, expectations were high for this Swedish bagsman to perform.

But a combination of arriving without a pre-season under his belt and breaking his leg just when it appeared he was coming back into form meant that Isak was severely underwhelmed at Anfield in season one. 

If Iraola can unlock the best version of Alexander Isak this season, he could be the difference between a good season and a memorable one 

The final spot in the XI is probably the one that has the biggest variety of options, which could be seen as a good thing for the Reds, as if we don't know who is going to start there most weeks, neither will the opposition.

Cody Gakpo was close to a move to Manchester City in the last week, but has remained on Merseyside and could have a new lease of life in an unfamiliar position this season. Accustomed to playing on the left wing for most of his career to date, Iraola tried him on the right wing against Nottingham Forest recently. 

And while the game ended 2-2, Gakpo looked solid out on the right flank, putting a number of dangerous crosses into the box and playing a major role in Alexander Isak scoring the first goal for Liverpool.

So could the Dutchman be the solution to the club's current lack of natural right-wing options this season, or will new recruit Victor Munoz carry on his impressive start to the season and keep Gakpo out of the team?